Not a great deal to report as I have run out of Milliput - rather the Milliput I had was virtually fossilized due to old age! - for the bridge assembly so instead I spent a little time with the Majestic funnel mounting. It is rather small so I did not bother with a picture but it is now ready for use.
The first thing I had to do was to make sure the two funnels were the same height which was easy enough with a few strokes of the file. Next, I had to trim the base so that it was level with the circumference of the two funnels - again easy enough with another couple of strokes of the file. The underside of the assembly (the part that is in contact with the hull) needed leveling so as to avoid leaning funnels and this was also easily rectified. Finally, and this was the trickiest part of the undertaking, I needed to remove the built up section at the base between the funnels. This took a couple of cuts and some very careful filing between the two funnels so as avoid any damage. It all worked out OK and the end result is a pair of funnels that now look taller despite being shorter - simply because the base 'clutter' has now been removed. The fixture can now be placed in either direction quite happily in the locating hole in the model's superstructure which means that once the bridge has been built (I shall be visiting ModelZone tomorrow for the Milliput) I shall have the basis for a large number of similar looking vessels.
I love it when a plan comes together!
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Renovating an old model
Sympathetic restoration underway - note the funnel assembly
Work is underway on the restoration/renovation/refurbishment of my recently acquired Majestic class battleship and I have to say that thus far it is going pretty well. To begin with I was going to strip the paint but it game off with some firm rubbing with a scouring cloth which was handy - as well as saving time. I removed the offending bridge and masts but was delighted to see that the turrets did not need any work. The 'ring' around the base of the turrets was merely flash and it came off easily enough. The biggest problem was the fact that the paint was pretty thick and obscured a lot of the detail and this was what had covered the turret ring and made it look far worse than it was. Some strategic filing and the end result looked pretty encouraging.
Majestic as built although the funnels are too far apart
The biggest surprise though was when I had a light bulb moment with the funnels. On the model these were located via a hole in the top of the superstructure and the assembly, roughly in a 'Y' shape, just plugged in. I was looking at these and was just about to discard them (one of them was smaller than the other although not significantly so) when I popped it into the locating hole facing fore and aft rather than port and starboard - and it gave me an idea!
Spot the difference - and the potential!
By some judicious trimming of the edge of the funnel assembly it is possible to use the hull as either the original Majestic class or as any one of the following classes merely by orientating the funnels. You could even leave this assembly loose and rotate the funnels as needed - although that me be a little too left field for most gamers!
The only remaining thing for me to tackle now is the new bridge assembly. Ordinarily I would just cobble one together using plastic card but given that this model is going into a 'proper' casting set up it needs to be strong enough to withstand the pressures associated with making a mould. This will mean Milliput.
Looks like I am going into the 'master making' business.....;-)
A Majestic Arrival
Firstly, she will need to be stripped (Oooeer Missus!) back to the bare metal and then the real chopping up can commence. Firstly, the funnels will have to come off. Historically these were side by side but the model has them deployed like rugby posts (or American Football) being widely separated. Also, the bridge structure appears to be very lopsided with the 'wings' not matching up when viewed from ahead so I plan to hack this off and replace the same with a Miliput version. I will also remove the wire masts. Finally, the turrets have a very pronounced ring around the base - this looks like flash of some kind - which will need some attention. If that proves to be too difficult then I could always remove them and replace them with some others - I have a number of donor hulls set aside for this purpose. The end result will not have any masts and so these would need to be added later - togther with fighting tops etc. In fact, the keen modeller could make a very presentable model from one of these quite basic castings should they wish.
I appreciate that this may all seem a lot of work for one model but the reason is quite simple. The hull and superstructure configuration of the Majestic class is about as close to being a generic looking pre dreadnought as you are likely to get so if I can pull this off the potential in terms of repeat castings is enormous. Being cast without funnels may seem odd but adding these from plastic or metal tube afterwards is very easy and also has the added attraction of not only being able to add as many as required but also placing them in whatever position is needed; thereby maximising the ship classes the basic hull could be use for. Having said that, once the existing funnels have been removed adding some new ones from Miliput or metal rod would not be too difficult so I may even consider that as an alternative - it will depend on the state of the hull. Once the basic hull has been refurbished and is ready to be cast then the real attraction of this model becomes apparent. For the Royal Navy alone the resultant casting could be used (as long as you are not overly offended by the lack of detail) for any of the battleship classes put into service up to the King Edward VII (I already have Swiftsure). Many foreign navies used a similar looking configuration although anything with a pronounced outward curve of the hull (the 'tumblehome' so beloved of the French and Russians) would not probably not be suitable.
Should my modelling skills not be equal to the task then I have a 'Plan B' to fall back on - I will concede defeat and use the King Edward VII casting as my generic pre dreadnought battleship. Just think of the superstructure 9.2" guns (one on each corner) as being 6" guns on steroids! They actually look more like casemate types in any event and are also larger than the turret mounted 12" weapons so could be called whatever was desired - scale considerations and fine detail were never a major feature of this range of models!
Once again then, I would like to extend a massive thank you to Steve Cady for his very kind donation and I hope that I shall be able to restore the same to something like its former glory and for future use - I hope to be able send him a newer version back across the Atlantic in due course!
Monday, 6 February 2012
An Indian Takeaway
One of those books that is a real pleasure to have in the collection
By way of a pleasant diversion (and a welcome surprise) I acquired a copy of 'Britain's Army in India - From its Origin to the Conquest of Bengal by James P. Lawford (ISBN 0 04 954020 3)' via Ebay for the princely sum of £2.80 (including postage)! The author needs no introduction (at least he shouldn't!) and the book covers the period up to the end of the Seven Years War. The period in question is really the story of the army of the East India Company and that of Clive of India. The machinations of the various Princes, the break up of the Mogul Empire, small forces of European infantry vying for favour and influence and facing enormous odds. The book contains maps, orbats, campaign and battle accounts as well biographies of some of the leading personalities of the period. This is the stuff that war gamers thrive on and given half a chance I would happily build up armies and navies for the campaigns of the 18th century on the Indian sub continent.
Mike Kirby's special - believe it or not this was free!
To support the above I had lurking in a forgotten corner of my collection a Miniature War Games special on the campaigns in India written by Mike Kirby. This is a very useful publication and is designed for use with the Volley and Bayonet rules written by Frank Chadwick - which is a favourite rule set of mine.
I cannot realistically see myself ever tackling the armies for this period - the numbers would be too vast for one thing - so the prospect of emulating the exploits of Clive on the tabletop will sadly have to remain a tantalising one.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Warship Models and a Plan
Readers of the the blog will have no seen mention of the range of warships available for a short time from Minifigs at the back end of the 1960s and early 1970s. Through various means I have been able to acquire a modest collection of these models and the plan is to either drop cast some more copies or to approach a manufacturer with a view to having the models professionally moulded and cast and available once again for battle on the table tops (or even floors!) of the world. Negotiations for this are underway and I will post on the blog if and when this comes to fruition.
In the meantime though, I thought it would be a good idea to illustrate the models I do have and then you will be able to judge for yourselves if this idea is a viable one. I am certainly very excited about the prospect of seeing these models back in production but I fully appreciate that they will not all things to all men!
The first model is of a Lord Nelson class Battleship and was numbered as number 1 on the Minifigs list I have. However, the model depicted is both hollow and die cast unlike the Minifigs version which is a solid casting - I have one of each. The die cast version came from the same source as the Swiftsure below.
The second model is a Swiftsure class Battleship which was number 2 in the Minifigs list. This is the die cast equivalent and features a B2 on the stern. I was fortunate enough to acquire a pair of these at my local Toy and Train Fair.
The next model is of a King Edward VII class battleship and this particular ship was not available from Minifigs. Again, this is a die cast model with the number B3 on the stern. This one came from Ebay and cost me a mere 99p!
At the time of writing I have Majestic class Battleship en route from the USA (Minifigs list number 3) and so I hope to add this to the collection as a possible candidate for recasting. I really want to get hold of a Minifigs Number 6 - a Canopus class battleship as this is the most generic looking example of a battleship for the whole period and so would serve as many different classes of ship. I would guess that its popularity for this very reason is probably why I am unable to find one!
Minifigs No.7 is the cruiser HMS Drake and with a little imagination could easily be used as a Cressy or even a Diadem class cruiser without too much difficulty.
Minifigs No. 8 is a Devonshire class cruiser. She comes in at 81mm long.
Minifigs No. 13 is a Highflyer or Arrogant class cruiser although is described on the list as an 'Early Turret Battleship'. She is 69mm in length.
The next selection of models are all destroyer or torpedo boat types and to be honest, I have not attempted to match them with their historical counterparts yet. They seem fairly representative of the myriad types the RN had on the go during the 1895 to 1905 period and needless to say, 'turtlebacks' feature quite prominently.
There are even a couple of submarines in the collection - as well as a single example of merchantman.
At the time of writing I am very keen to acquire the aforementioned HMS Canopus (No. 6) and also Minifigs No. 14 which is described on the list as an 'Early Turret battleship' but is in fact an Edgar class cruiser which could also be used for a Blake class.
The models above are very basic in terms of detail for sure and would certainly not win any prizes in terms of accuracy BUT as gaming pieces indicative of the type and with a little work could be turned into something pretty respectable looking. The models originally were cast with masts etc in place but sadly none of these have survived and so I will clean up the stump prior to casting. In fact the models all need a little cleaning up in respect of flash etc but it is hardly a major undertaking. I suppose these ships can best be described as 'Marmite Models' because you will either love them or you will hate them. For my part I love them and so will press on to see about making these models available to the naval war gaming fraternity once again.
In the meantime though, I thought it would be a good idea to illustrate the models I do have and then you will be able to judge for yourselves if this idea is a viable one. I am certainly very excited about the prospect of seeing these models back in production but I fully appreciate that they will not all things to all men!
Minifigs Number 1 or a mysterious B4 - the number on the stern. Lord Nelson and 76mm long.
The first model is of a Lord Nelson class Battleship and was numbered as number 1 on the Minifigs list I have. However, the model depicted is both hollow and die cast unlike the Minifigs version which is a solid casting - I have one of each. The die cast version came from the same source as the Swiftsure below.
Minifigs Number 2 or a mysterious B2 - the number on the stern. Swiftsure and 82mm long.
The second model is a Swiftsure class Battleship which was number 2 in the Minifigs list. This is the die cast equivalent and features a B2 on the stern. I was fortunate enough to acquire a pair of these at my local Toy and Train Fair.
B3 or the rather imposing King Edward VII - note the 9.2" at either end of the central superstructure. She is 82mm long.
At the time of writing I have Majestic class Battleship en route from the USA (Minifigs list number 3) and so I hope to add this to the collection as a possible candidate for recasting. I really want to get hold of a Minifigs Number 6 - a Canopus class battleship as this is the most generic looking example of a battleship for the whole period and so would serve as many different classes of ship. I would guess that its popularity for this very reason is probably why I am unable to find one!
Minifigs No. 7 - HMS Drake - a Drake class armoured cruiser 84mm long
Minifigs No.7 is the cruiser HMS Drake and with a little imagination could easily be used as a Cressy or even a Diadem class cruiser without too much difficulty.
Minifigs No. 8 - A Devonshire class cruiser
Minifigs No. 8 is a Devonshire class cruiser. She comes in at 81mm long.
Minifigs No. 13 - 'Early Turret Battleship' - I don't think so....
Minifigs No. 13 is a Highflyer or Arrogant class cruiser although is described on the list as an 'Early Turret Battleship'. She is 69mm in length.
The next selection of models are all destroyer or torpedo boat types and to be honest, I have not attempted to match them with their historical counterparts yet. They seem fairly representative of the myriad types the RN had on the go during the 1895 to 1905 period and needless to say, 'turtlebacks' feature quite prominently.
Minifigs No. 19 Destroyer 46mm in length
Minifigs No. 20 Destroyer 47mm in length
Minifigs No. 21 Destroyer 45mm in length
Minifigs No. 22 Destroyer 46mm in length
Minifigs No. 24 Destroyer 53mm in length
There are even a couple of submarines in the collection - as well as a single example of merchantman.
Minifigs No. 15 Transport ship 71mm in length
Minifigs No. 26 Submarine 45mm in length
Minifigs No. 25 Submarine 42mm in length
The models above are very basic in terms of detail for sure and would certainly not win any prizes in terms of accuracy BUT as gaming pieces indicative of the type and with a little work could be turned into something pretty respectable looking. The models originally were cast with masts etc in place but sadly none of these have survived and so I will clean up the stump prior to casting. In fact the models all need a little cleaning up in respect of flash etc but it is hardly a major undertaking. I suppose these ships can best be described as 'Marmite Models' because you will either love them or you will hate them. For my part I love them and so will press on to see about making these models available to the naval war gaming fraternity once again.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
"Hexon, Hexon....You're my Hexon....!"
A very odd looking battlefield but you get the gist of it!
The missing pieces arrived this morning and so phase one of my Hexon accumulation is now complete. I have the hills, roads and rivers I need and anything else will be acquired on an as and when basis. There is a sufficient quantity and selection of types for most of the ideas I have and was purchased with the a standard Command and Colours sized set up in mind - 13 x 9 hexes. I am really pleased to have finally landed this lot and the plans for the inaugural game can now proceed, hopefully at the weekend.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Order - Counter-Order - Missing Order
Oh well, there goes the brain cell for another week....
Ho-hum. I would like to say it could only happen to me but I suspect I am neither the first nor the last to have done this. I placed my order with Kallistra for my Hexon terrain pieces over a week ago and the package duly arrived yesterday morning. It is really nice and I am delighted to have taken the plunge with the collection and am looking forward to using the same for my gaming adventures. The order was made up of a selection of flocked hills, roads and stream sections in what I thought would be a suitable varied selection for creating any number of battlefields.
Nothing wrong with that idea or so I thought....
Picture the scene if you will. There I was parked in front of my PC constructing the order and yes, you've guessed it, going through various permutations of what the final order will look like. In a nutshell, what I had ordered was not what I thought I had ordered. I should have checked the end result more carefully but failed to do so and am now down one pack of stream sections as a result!
The new and correct order has already been placed....
D'Oh....
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